SG Gaming Info’s 5 most anticipated games of 2017

As a new year begins, SG Gaming Info’s Aaron Meehan reveals what are his most anticipated games of 2017.

5) Mass Effect: Andromeda (EA)

Release date – Early 2017
Available on – PC, PS4, XBOne

Mass Effect heads to the Andromeda galaxy with Mass Effect: Andromeda. In this latest Mass Effect game, we leave Sheppard and the Reapers behind to explore and learn about the Andromeda galaxy.

If the gameplay video released last month holds up to be true than Mass Effect: Andromeda will be a lot more than just running and gunning. It seems like there will be a focus on gathering resources along with simply exploring the planets you land on. Personally, I’m looking forward to exploring new planets, as I loved exploring worlds with the Mako in the first Mass Effect game.

4) Persona 5 (Atlus/Deep Silver)

Release date – April 4, 2017
Available on – PS4, PS3

If Persona 4 thought me anything is that Atlus does an amazing job of balancing combat and social interactions, and honestly, that’s why I’m anticipating Persona 5. While sometimes stagnation is a bad thing, there is nothing wrong with continuing with the same formula, as long as said formula works well. After all, there is something intriguing about going from taking exams during the day to fighting monsters at night.

From what gameplay I’ve seen of the game, the combat system seems much faster paced and aesthetically pleasing on the eyes. In a world where turn based combat is slowly giving way for action or a hybrid action/turn based system, it is nice to see that some companies are willing to still use the traditional turn based system.

3) Horizon Zero Dawn (Sony Computer Entertainment)

Release date – March 3, 2017
Available on – PS4

When Horizon Zero Dawn was first unveiled at E3 2015, I was immediately intrigued by the concept of a post-apocalyptic Earth where the animal like robotic creatures known as Machines wander the world, and humanity being regressed to a primitive hunter-gatherer society.

As a person who loves story in video games, I’m hoping the game explores the “ancient past” and what led to the Machines to taking over the land. I’m also interested in seeing if the game will show nature and the Machines interact with one another, after all, I don’t believe I’ve seen any non-robotic animals running around the world.

2) Ace Combat 7 (Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Release date – 2017
Available on – PS4

For as long as I can recall I’ve enjoyed the Ace Combat franchise, so knowing that a new Ace Combat game is coming out this year is bound to leave me excited, especially since Ace Combat 7 will see the franchise return to game’s fictional earth-like world of Strangereal.

Returning the franchise to Strangereal means that the franchise can become outlandish again, I mean sure the last console title, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon was interesting, but its real world location meant that it couldn’t go crazy with the setting, i.e. no over the top aircraft to fight or experimental aircraft or weapons to use.

1) Nintendo Switch (Nintendo)

Release date – 2017

Finally, we have the Nintendo Switch, I know it isn’t a game, but I am very much interested in Nintendo’s upcoming console. What little Nintendo has shown of the Switch has grabbed my attention, especially when you consider that besides its hybrid (console/handheld) design it is the least gimmick filled console Nintendo has released since the GameCube.

The Nintendo Switch is also rumoured to be getting an interesting array of games such as Pokémon Stars, which is rumoured to be a new version of Pokémon Sun and Moon, and The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild.

In the end, I’m interested in seeing what the Nintendo Switch can do, and the world will get a better look at its power and games on January 12th during the Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017.